New Delhi : Security and strategic affairs analyst Brig Anil Gupta on Thursday called for a deeper assessment of the ongoing conflict involving Iran, saying it should be viewed beyond conventional narratives of nuclear threats and regional security.
In a statement, Gupta said the conflict reflects a larger geopolitical contest centred on control over critical resources and strategic dominance. “What is unfolding around Iran is not just about security or nuclear concerns. At its core, this is about power, and power in this region has always meant control over resources,” he said.
He referred to the reported resignation of US counter-terrorism official Joe Kent, who allegedly termed the war “unethical,” and questioned the rationale behind the conflict, including target selection and its justification.
Gupta said differing perspectives exist on the nature of war, with some emphasising ethics while others view it as a pursuit of national interest, a position often linked to former US President Donald Trump.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the region, he pointed to vast oil reserves and key maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global oil supply passes. He said control over such resources and routes provides leverage over global energy markets and economic systems, adding that sustained pressure on Iran could be aimed at weakening its independent control while expanding external influence in the region. Gupta also flagged water scarcity as an emerging factor, saying future geopolitical competition may extend to control over water resources. He said the developments indicate a broader struggle for dominance over resources and influence in a strategically vital region, calling for a more nuanced understanding of the conflict.
